Alaska News Nightly - Alaska Public Media

Day two of sentencing hearings for the man who admitted to setting fire to seven buildings in Two Rivers in 2021. A outage in Newtok's school is just the latest in a pattern of power issues. What to expect as the Kuskokwim 300 kicks off.

Alaska gets hundreds of millions of federal dollars for the ailing ferry system. But it will require a commitment from the state, too. A sobering economic outlook for Alaska's largest city. Plus, a Sitka gymnastics coach takes a team to the Arctic Winter Games.

Questions over the origins of a court order for a mental health check, the courts say never existed. The story of two Russians who crossed the Bering Sea in a fishing boat to avoid the war in Ukraine. Plus the Alaska Long Trail is a long ways off, but supporters say the benefits are worth the wait.

Kodiak's tanner crab fishery is still at a standstill as the fleet holds out for higher prices. Governor Dunleavy lays out his priorities in this year's state of the state address. And after a long hiatus, Sitka's community orchestra is back in business.

A new ballot measure would repeal the state's ranked choice voting system. Also, teachers rally in Juneau for increased school funding. And the Homer Library Board votes to keep a small number of books that stirred up big controversy.

Confusion over discrepancies in Representative Mary Peltola's educational record. Families are stuck abroad after the Marine Highway System pulled a ferry from service. Plus Soldotna looks at creating a more walkable- and business friendly - downtown.

Alaska farmers step up to supply eggs as the national shortage drags on. Also, a Juneau resident gets her Regalia back, suddenly, two weeks after it was stolen. And a meeting between school officials in Ketchikan and Metlakatla helps heal a rift.

In a rare attack, a polar bear kills a mother and son in Wales. Also, the Alaska House breaks its deadlock and elects a speaker, Republican Cathy Tilton. And as Fairbanks gets ready to demolish a condemned hotel, developers are already thinking about what's next.

The state legislative session kicks off, but without a permanent speaker in the House. Also, Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she's working on a fix for getting fisheries disaster relief out more quickly. And Alaska Native leaders remember Oliver Leavitt as a whaling captain and a businessman.

Tanner crab fishermen consider their options as low prices keep them at the docks. Also, legislative leaders talk about the big issues ahead on the eve of the session. And a Homer woman survives an ice skating mishap that features an unusual rescue tool: a dead snowshoe hare.

The Alaska State House is going into the start of the legislative session with no clear majority coalition. Kodiak's tanner crab fishery is at risk over disagreements on the price. Plus eager beavers are moving North in Alaska, and the impacts can be seen from space.

Months after an Eagle River teen was killed during an ROTC event, her mom has unanswered questions. Also, the Anchorage assembly demands a response from Mayor Dave Bronson over recent allegations. And the Legislature approves new housing in Juneau to help alleviate an acute shortage when lawmakers come to town.

In the discussion about increasing education funding, some lawmakers say they want it tied to improved outcomes. The EPA says a plan to improve air quality in Fairbanks falls short of requirements. Plus remembering the legacy of North Slope legend Oliver Leavitt.

FEMA addresses how disaster relief information was lost in translation. Why the Kenai Peninsula has one of the few growing populations in the state. Plus breaking down barriers to lift up the next generation of skiers.

Disaster assistance information, supposedly translated into Alaska Native languages, turned into a disaster itself. Also, why a federal lease sale in Cook Inlet drew such little interest. And turning plastic waste into useful building materials.

A North Pole man is waiting for another chance at a heart transplant after Winter storms stopped the first. A replacement for former Assembly Member Forrest Dunbar is officially selected. Plus the dogs on this Skagway bus go woof, woof, woof… and viral.

Day 3 with no house speaker in DC, and lawmakers are looking for ways to break the gridlock. A dispute between oil producers centers on a road to Alaska's next big oil project. And cod season is off to a late start after disagreements over the price per pound.

A massive bird flu outbreak in Washington leads to an egg shortage in Alaska. How smoke alarms made a clear difference between two New Year's house fires. And climatologists say last month's heavy snow in Anchorage was in part due to climate change.

Alaskans seeking food stamps run into a huge backlog. No House Speaker means no swearing in yet for Mary Peltola. Plus an update on the efforts to dig Anchorage out of last month's snowstorms.

Alaskans wonder if high grocery prices will continue in the new year. Also, a new air traffic control tower planned for Anchorage will be Alaska's tallest building. And a Fairbanks hotel's aurora globe offers a new northern lights experience.

Ketchikan's police chief faces assault charges after a September incident. Also, Juneau wrestles with the potential for landslides or avalanches to impact downtown buildings. And managers of so-far healthy bison populations look forward to years of harvests.

Alaska's military service members are set to get higher pay in 2023. The Ketchikan School District could be on the hook for huge health insurance payments. And a former Olympian turned Homer high school coach talks about her work in advocacy.

After more than a year without an official director, the Anchorage Public Library is under new leadership. How the airline meltdown is canceling plans months and even years in the making. Plus the land rising and falling makes for some unique engineering around an Alaska river.

Alaskans are still stranded across the country as nasty weather keeps planes grounded. And a new federal committee is working to change derogatory names on American landmarks. Plus researchers are bouncing a radio signal from Alaska off a far-out space object.

A new nursing program in Alaska pays students as they learn a profession. Also tonight… Combining solar farms with agriculture with an aim of better crops.